text:
Home→By: Jeff→Interview with Apocalypse Orchestra
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Interview with Apocalypse Orchestra
Posted on 6 May 2017 by Michel 29 January 2021
The End is Nigh, here is Apocalypse Orchestra
Sweden's Apocalypse Orchestra are poised to release their debut album "The End Is Nigh" on May 12th via Despotz Records. Blending doomy beats with folk, medieval and metal, AO has created a new take and different sound to get in to. Erik Larsson (lead vocals and multi-instrumentalist) and Mikael Lindström (backing vocals and multi-instrumentalist) shared some answers with us regarding their sound, their debut album and a few other things…. check it out….
Congrats on your pending debut "The End Is Nigh"… have you gotten any sort of feedback regarding it yet?
Erik & Mikael: "Thank you very much! It feels great."
Erik: "We have seen a some reviews, heard some via word of mouth, and also had alot of comments on the singles, and we are completely blown away by the positive feedback. We really could not be more humled."
History of the Orchestra
Could you give us a little history on how the band was formed?
Mikael: "We all go way back as friends, but me, Erik and Andreas have played together in other bands for almost 15 years. About four years ago when we didn't have a vocalist for our last band we decided to do something different. More metal, and older musical influences than before. We felt that the world needed heavy, downtuned medieval folk metal."
Erik: "We started writing songs, and right away we found our groove, and some songs took form very fast. We decided to add our friend Andreas, Jonas and Rikard, and soon after that we were standing on stage…"
"Photo by: Stephansdotter Photography"
How did the signing to Despotz come about?
Erik: "Some people, among others a few label mates (Grimner) as well as common friends, had given the guys at Despotz tips about us, but they had not the time to check it out. Some time later they saw a live video of us, with full gear, actors, fire breathing and whatnot, and they just reached out to us. We were signed a few weeks after!"
Stylistically, you cross over into many genres….. what genre or description are you the most comfortable with if any? What were the main driving forces/influences musically to your sound?
Mikael: "I personally think Medieval Metal works just fine. My influences come from the medieval music I listen to as well as more modern bands with common denominators like Garmarna, Wardruna and the like.
At the same time, I feel that we're kind of breaking some new ground here. There are not many bands that plays this kind of medieval metal that we do, a driving force in itself."
Erik: "I agree, Medieval Metal feel right, if one are forced to label oneself. You yourself added "Contemporary" to it, and that feel even more right. We have had the doom epithet following us from day one, and I really don't recall how it came there, but me myself don't view us as a doom outfit, even though there are some heavy old school doom inspirations, both for me personally as well as in our music.
I love cross over music. Hell, I love cross over everything. I would guess that more than half of all the music that I listen to have some form of cross over element in them. The first folk metal experiences I had were also of bands that mixed actual folk music into metal. Not just donning some outfit and singing about lore, and don't get me wrong, I really love a bunch of those bands for those treats alone, but we set out specifically to mix actual authentic folk (medieval) music with modern metal. At least I felt I was missing that on the scene when we began. And most bands were playing fast death metal style cross over, with growling. We just did a 180 and started marching. Slowly."
Why do you think that there is a lot of people who think of your music as "doom"…. is it simply the tempos or are there other aspects of your sound that may have doom connections?
Erik & Mikael: "All of the above?"
Mikael: "Probably the tempo thing first and foremost. Some of our lyrics have a feeling of impending doom, but it's not supposed to be depressing in that "doomy" way."
Erik: "I agree, doom metal does not have to be about despair 100% of the time. There are many classic examples of that. And if I have to give one comparison we have gotten a lot, it's that many people can hear a bit of My Dying Bride and similar bans in our music, if not the lyrics. Not so strange, I grew up with that, early Anathema, Candlemass and other like them."
Erik & Mikael: "And Type O Negative."
Mikael: "Type O is one of my all-time favorite bands. We both really love their music."
EP or not EP
The new album features the 4 tracks from your previously released EP…. was the plan to have these included on the album from the beginning?
Mikael: "Yes, it was, since we were initially planning to release the debut ourselves."
Erik: "I also feel I need to clarify that the "EP" wasn't actually meant to be an EP at all, it's a demo. Don't know who first gave it the status of "EP", but it seems to have stuck!"
With regards to the remaining 4 tracks, have they been around and were not recorded or are they all relatively newer tracks?
Erik: "Most of the songs are written overlapping in time, so both the sound and feeling fit together really good. The earliest embryos of the all the songs were present before even the first one were completely finished. Then they were made ready, one by one. For the album, we have also disregarded both completed tracks as well as decided not to complete others. In other words, we have more music in store…"
How does you songwriting begin….with basic riffs or lyrics? Are tracks primarily written by one member and then brought in ready to be worked on?
Erik: "Mikael is one of the world's greatest melody makers! Both with folk instrument as well as guitar riffs. He comes to me all the time with new stuff, and what makes us work so good together is that I most often get an idea for an arrangement right away then he presents something to me. I add my own melodies and riffs, and we're off!"
Mikael: "Aw that's so sweet! And to me, Erik is a musical genius machine. I usually come with an almost unintelligible piece of crappy riff recorded on my old phone and then put it through the ErikFilter™ and amazing music comes out the other side! Erik is very good at putting it all together, in regard of arrangement.
After this initial creative process, (embryo has become arrangement) the others have their say. When you write music, you tend to go "deaf" for the obvious after a while and it is very healthy to bring in new fresh ears and opinions."
Erik: "So far, Jonas, Andreas and Rikard have been an essential resource in keeping us on track, while all along having both faith in, and respect for, our initial musical vision."
How did you gravitate into melding the medieval instruments into your sound? Was it always the intention from the start or has it grown organically?
Mikael: "It was key from the start. To get that folk/medieval feel we knew that we had to use authentic instruments. The mix of acoustic instruments blended with the metal sound was the basic idea that we wanted to pursue."
Erik: "Well put! I would also like to add that our plan all along have been to incorporate more and more, so you might say, you haven't heard it all yet…"
Sweden has a rich history of folk metal from Grimner to King Of Asgard to Utmarken and many others……what is the reason for so many gravitating towards the style? History? Landscape?
Erik: "
I don't really know that we have that high a volume of folk metal bands though, but Sweden really have produced high quality folk metal for a long time, Vintersorg, Otyg and more. I would say this was bound to happen. People often talk about the "musical wonder of Sweden", and I think that is in part true. Sweden first of all have a huge number of active musicians, much thanks to public school, peoples education and communal music schools. We have the world's second best density of metal bands per capita (after our wonderful neighbors Finland). Add to the mix our rich tradition in folk music, and also the fact that a lot of rock, leading on to metal, have been pioneered by bands and artist through time who have been heavily influenced by folk music."
Mikael: "Sweden also have a bunch of folk rock bands (not folk rock like Bob Dylan mind you!) such as Garmarna, Hedningarna, Ranarim, Big Fish, Folk och Rackare. There's more to it than just the music. The lyrics of these bands are often influenced or taken directly from medieval ballads. Gruesome and brutal to say the least. One ballad ends with a young woman being rolled down a hill in a barrel full of nails Iron Maiden style. And then we have the ballad about the werewolf that rips a pregnant woman in pieces for her lover to find. In the words of the late great Peter Steele, "Everything dies!"
Erik: "Nordic medieval ballad writers – The Scandinavian predecessors to Shakespeare…"
Could you discuss your upcoming music video…. for what track? When will it be released and what is the concept behind the video?
Erik: "It will be a follow up of our first single, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" and it will be released shortly! Not a concept such as that, and even after we all in the band had agreed on the story and script, we realized we all interpreted it differently. The viewer should have an open mind, and maybe just give in to some abstract visions of olden times… see where they take you."
How do you feel about performing live….is it a passion or more of a necessity? Do you have a tour or shows lined up to support the album?
Mikael: "For me it's a nervous passion! Since our music contains a lot of different elements everything has to fall into place. Usually I'm a bit shaky until we hit the first note but then everything changes and the black magic of music takes over. Right now, we don't have any shows planned other than the release party for the album. Though our wish is to play live as much as possible, I love watching the audience while we play and meet them afterward.
An important part of our live shows is to offer something more than just us the band on stage. We want to make it a whole experience so we try to include candles, an iron wrought burial cross (it's awesome to have a bassist that's also a master blacksmith!), projected animations tailored to each song, fire breathers and fire dancers. Mood is everything!"
Erik: "Mikael and I are two peas in a pod. I love performing live, no matter be it straight up playing music in all its simplicity, or putting on a grand show with external elements. For this band though, we feel the latter gives it that bit of "extra" we so wish to bestow on the audience. I love bands that plans their concert as a show, even though the music itself is of course the main focus."
Any thoughts on downloading music for no compensation?
Erik: "Let's be truthful, we have all done it. And who knows, in this day and age, if some, if not many bands. have in the end profited from this, in regard to increasing the reach of their music. Look at some of the great bands who used this when downloading was at it's peak, they planned their tours where they had the most downloads. I have a relative who was with his band in India, where they knew they hadn't sold more than a handful of records, and by the second song on stage (in front of almost 9000 people!) they noticed that a huge amount of people in the crowd where singing along the lyrics, as if they had never heard anything else! So, the discussion can point both ways."
Mikael: "I've kind of come to terms with the fact that you won't make any money from music itself and I'm fine with that. I personally love the return of vinyl since it made me buy more music again. You can't stop technology so you might as well tag along for the ride. Without the evolution in (computer) technology we would most likely not have been able to make it this far."
Favorite albums from 2016 or 2017 so far?
Erik: "Wow, to many good ones! I can drop on the top of my head; Borknagar – Winter Thrice, Devin Townsend Project – Transcendence, Ereb Altor – Blot – Ilt – Taut, Myrkgrav – Takk og farvel – tida er blitt ei annen, Novembers Doom – Hamartia, Myrkur – Mausoleum EP, Symbio – Phoresy, Pallbearer – Heartless, Wardruna – Runaljod / Ragnarok, and I will also sneak in 2015's amazing Paradise Lost – The Plague Within!"
Mikael: "Yes, I agree with most of the above, and I add; Cult of Luna ft. Julie Christmas – Mariner, Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's Skuggsjá – A Piece for Mind & Mirror, Garmarna – 6, Wardruna – Runaljod / Ragnarok, Grimner – Frost mot eld, Rotting Christ – Rituals, 1900 – Tekno, and I also will sneak in a 2015 album, Amorphis – Under the Red Cloud."
Erik & Mikael: "We are also really looking forward to the 2017 releases of Vintersorg and Vallenfyre, and we are hoping to maybe see a release of up and coming Swedish folk metal act Norrsinnt during 2017."
Closing thoughts?
Erik & Mikael: "Huge thanks for supporting us and showing an interest in us. We hope we can continue to provoke the mind, mixing our brands of weird, and we will strive to go on, making more music you all will hopefully like. Our regards, and as always, stay folk!"
By: Jeff
Apocalypse Orchestra
Posted in By: Jeff, Interview Tagged Apocalypse Orchestra permalink


Today I'm reviewing an item that I had featured in a recent haul which you can check out here! There's a whole stigma when it comes to affordable makeup and to be honest, there's a good reason that people are still hesitant to try cheap makeup. Usually when I see makeup for $1 I am extremely hesitant and I only try brands that I have heard of before.


text:
Daon is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.

Sights
 Saint-Germain Church, under renovation in 2012.
 The Logis de la Grande Jaillerie.
 Le Logis du Petit Marigné, listed as a historical monument since 1997.

Castles
Daon is the commune of the Pays de Château-Gontier containing the most of castles, with around ten of these on its territory:

 The Castle of l'Escoublère, 16th century, listed as a historical monument since 1927.
 Mortreux Castle, listed as a historical monument since 1933.
 The Castle Places.
 Lutz Castle.
 Castle of the Porte.
 Bréon Castle.
 Nouairie Castle.
 Touche-Belin Castle.
 Bellevue Castle, known as Villa Bellevue.
 Beaumont Castle.

See also
Communes of the Mayenne department

References

Communes of Mayenne

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Computing the series$\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{3^{k-1}+(2i)^k}{5^k}} $ Show convergence of
$\begin{align}
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{3^{k-1}+(2i)^k}{5^k}} &= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{3^{k-1}}{5^k}}+ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{(2i)^k}{5^k}} \\
&= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{3} \cdot \left( \frac{3}{5} \right) ^k} + \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{2i}{5} \right )^k} \\
&= \frac{1}{3} \cdot \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{3}{5} \right) ^k} + \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{2i}{5} \right )^k} \\
\end{align}$
The first part of the sum converges because it is the geometric series with $q= \frac{3}{5}, 1> \left| \frac{3}{5} \right|$.
$$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}{\left(\frac{2i}{5} \right)^k}$$
Question: Why does that series diverge (WolframAlpha)?
I mean, if $q=\frac{2i}{5}, |q|<1$ then it should be the geometric series and thus converge?

A: If $i$ satisfies $i^2=-1$ then
$$\sum_{k=1}^\infty\left(\frac{2i}5\right)^k$$
converges in $\Bbb C$ to
$$\frac{2i/5}{1-2i/5}=\frac{2i}{5-2i}=\frac{-4+10i}{29}$$
(geometric series) as $|2i/5|<1$.

A: Wolfram Alpha says it diverges because you typed in $n=1$ to infinity instead of $k=1$ to infinity.  Correct the typo and it works.

A: by geometrics sum wfor any complex such that:   $|z|<1$ we have

Therefore
$$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} z^k= \lim_{n\to\infty}\sum_{k=1}^{n} z^k =\lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{z(1-z^{n+1})}{1-z}  = \frac{z}{1-z}  $$
since $\lim_{n\to\infty} z^n =0 $ since $|z|<1$.
Hence
 \begin{align}
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{3^{k-1}+(2i)^k}{5^k}} &= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{3^{k-1}}{5^k}}+ \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{(2i)^k}{5^k}} \\
&= \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{\frac{1}{3} \cdot \left( \frac{3}{5} \right) ^k} + \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{2i}{5} \right )^k} \\
&= \frac{1}{3} \cdot \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{3}{5} \right) ^k} + \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}{ \left( \frac{2i}{5} \right )^k} \\&= \frac{1}{3}\frac{\frac{3}{5}}{1-\frac{3}{5}}+ \frac{\frac{2i}{5}}{1-\frac{2i}{5}}
\end{align}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
#include "../../../Core/Inc/Scene/SceneManagement.h"

namespace Scene
{
	/// Конструктор класса.
	SceneManagement::SceneManagement(void)
	{
	}

	/// Деструктор класса.
	SceneManagement::~SceneManagement(void)
	{
		while (NOT _stateStack.empty())
		{
			_stateStack.back()->Exit();
			_stateStack.pop_back();
		}
	}

	void SceneManagement::FrameStarted(OIS::IInputBase* event, float timeStep)
	{
		_stateStack.back()->FrameStarted(event, timeStep);
	}

	void SceneManagement::FrameEnded(void)
	{
		_stateStack.back()->FrameEnded();
	}

	void SceneManagement::ChangeState(ISceneStateBase* sceneState, Core::Render::IRenderSystemBase* renderSystem, ISceneGraphBase* sceneGraph)
	{
		while (NOT _stateStack.empty())
		{
			_stateStack.back()->Exit();
			_stateStack.pop_back();
		}

		_stateStack.push_back(sceneState);
		_stateStack.back()->Enter(renderSystem, sceneGraph);
	}

	void SceneManagement::PushState(ISceneStateBase* sceneState, Core::Render::IRenderSystemBase* renderSystem, ISceneGraphBase* sceneGraph)
	{
		if (NOT _stateStack.empty())
			_stateStack.back()->Pause();

		_stateStack.push_back(sceneState);
		_stateStack.back()->Enter(renderSystem, sceneGraph);
	}

	void SceneManagement::PopState(void)
	{
		while (NOT _stateStack.empty())
		{
			_stateStack.back()->Exit();
			_stateStack.pop_back();
		}

		if (NOT _stateStack.empty())
			_stateStack.back()->Resume();
	}

	ISceneManagementBase* RegisterSceneManagement(void)
	{
		return new SceneManagement();
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


As to transparency, Iberdrola's shareholders have multiple channels of permanent communication throughout the year, such as the interactive OLS system (On Line Shareholders) and the Shareholder office, through which they can ask questions or request clarifications upon the terms set forth in the Policy regarding Communication and Contacts with Shareholders, Institutional Investors, and Proxy Advisors [PDF].
To encourage their participation at the General Shareholders' Meeting, the Company makes available to the shareholders a Shareholder's Guide [PDF] and Implementing Rules for the General Shareholders' Meeting [PDF], which describe the systems for remote proxy representation and voting. In particular, Iberdrola encourages electronic participation through real time identification of its shareholders from any electronic device with internet access and is pioneer in introducing proxy-granting and voting telephone system.
Iberdrola has a Shareholder Engagement Policy [PDF] approved upon the proposal of a working committee formed by representatives of the Company, recognised shareholder movements, and professionals with particular qualifications and experience in corporate governance. It contemplates initiatives such as holding the General Shareholders' Meeting within the framework of Shareholder Day, which is intended to involve shareholders in the business, corporate, and institutional reality of Iberdrola, stimulate two-way interaction between the Company and its shareholders, and encourage their engagement in corporate life.
Requirements and procedures applicable to exercising rights related to the General Shareholders' Meeting and regarding the duties of shareholders.
The Board of Directors must call a General Shareholders' Meeting if the meeting is requested, in the manner provided by law, by shareholders who individually or collectively represent at least three per cent of the share capital, in which case the agenda to be prepared shall mandatorily include the matters specified in the request.
Shareholders individually or collectively representing at least three per cent of the share capital may request the publication of a supplement to the call to the Annual General Shareholders' Meeting including one or more items in the agenda, so long as the new items are accompanied by a rationale or, if applicable, by a duly substantiated proposed resolution.
If this right is exercised, the Company shall publish a new form of attendance, proxy, and absentee voting card that takes such items into account. The Company shall also ensure the dissemination of these proposed resolutions and any documentation attached thereto to the other shareholders, in accordance with the provisions of law.
Shareholders individually or collectively representing at least three per cent of the share capital may submit well-founded proposed resolutions regarding matters already included or that should be included in the agenda of the call to meeting.
If this right is exercised, the Company shall publish a new form of attendance, proxy, and absentee voting card that takes such proposed resolutions into account. The Company shall also ensure the dissemination of these proposed resolutions and any documentation attached thereto to the other shareholders, in accordance with the provisions of law.
As from the date of publication of the call to the General Shareholders' Meeting, such information as is deemed appropriate to facilitate informed attendance of the shareholders at the General Shareholders' Meeting is made available to them on the Company's corporate website (avoiding documents in paper form and thereby favouring respect for and protection of the environment).
A full or summary translation into English of the principal reports and documents made available to the shareholders is also included as soon as possible following publication of the announcement of the call to meeting, although the Spanish text shall in any event prevail in the event of a conflict. Shareholders with visual limitations may request the delivery of the announcement of the call to meeting in the Braille system.
From the date of publication of the call to the General Shareholders' Meeting through and including the fifth day prior to the date set for the meeting to be held on first call, the shareholders may request the information or clarifications that they deem are required regarding (a) the matters contained in the agenda of the call to meeting; (b) the information accessible to the public that has been sent by the Company to the National Securities Market Commission (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores) since the holding of the last General Shareholders' Meeting; and (c) the audit report.
In addition, during the course of the General Shareholders' Meeting, the shareholders may verbally request the information or clarifications that they deem appropriate regarding the matters referred to above.
Furthermore, the announcement of the call to the General Shareholders' Meeting shall state the means whereby any shareholder may obtain from the Company, without charge and on an immediate basis, the documents that must be submitted for the approval of the shareholders at such General Shareholders' Meeting, as well as, if applicable, the management report and the audit report.
The Board of Directors actively promotes shareholder attendance at the General Shareholders' Meeting and the possibility of shareholder participation therein, pursuant to the provisions of law and the Corporate Governance System.
Whenever reasonably possible, the Company endeavours to ensure that the premises at which the General Shareholders' Meeting is held have the means to allow access by persons with reduced mobility and to provide the simultaneous interpretation of the proceedings into Euskera (Basque), English, and those other languages that the Board of Directors deems appropriate. The Company also establishes measures that facilitate attendance at and participation in the General Shareholders' Meeting by shareholders with auditory or visual limitations.
In order to exercise this right, shareholders must cause the shares to be registered in their name in the corresponding book-entry register at least five days prior to the day on which the General Shareholders' Meeting is to be held and must submit proof of their identity in accordance with the provisions of the Implementing Rules for the General Shareholders' Meeting approved by the Board of Directors for each General Shareholders' Meeting.
Generally, the presentation of a national identity document or any other official identification document that is generally accepted and that the Company deems appropriate for such purposes shall be sufficient. For corporate shareholders, the persons attending on their behalf must provide evidence of their representative authority.
All shareholders having the right to attend may be represented at the General Shareholders' Meeting by proxy through another person, even if such person is not a shareholder, by complying with the requirements and formalities of law and the Corporate Governance System.
call to the free-of-charge phone number of the Office of the Shareholder (900 100 019) and answer to the questions to identify yourself.
The Board of Directors elaborates on the above provisions for each General Shareholders' Meeting upon approving the Implementating Rules for the General Shareholders' Meeting, establishing rules, means, and procedures applicable in each case, considering at all times the state of the art.
Each voting share, whether represented in person or by proxy at the General Shareholders' Meeting, grants the holder the right to one vote.
No shareholder may cast a number of votes greater than those corresponding to shares representing ten per cent of share capital, even if the number of shares held exceeds such percentage of capital.
This limitation does not affect votes corresponding to shares with respect to which a shareholder is holding a proxy, but it does apply to the number of votes cast by each shareholder represented by proxy.
No shareholder may exercise the shareholder's right to vote at a General Shareholders' Meeting, either in person or by proxy, with respect to the adoption of a resolution to relieve the shareholder of an obligation or grant the shareholder a right, provide the shareholder with any kind of financial assistance, including the provision of guarantees in favour thereof, or release the shareholder, if a director, from obligations arising from the duty of loyalty established in accordance with the provisions of law.
The shareholders of the Company must exercise their rights in respect of the Company and the other shareholders, and must comply with their duties, acting loyally, in good faith, and transparently, within the framework of the corporate interest as an interest that should prevail over each shareholder's individual interest, and pursuant to the Company's Corporate Governance System, accepting the substantive and formal limitations to which their rights are subject and the rules on conflicts of interest and competition, and ensuring the transparency of related-party and significant transactions and the truth of public disclosures.


text:
import click
import os
import sys

CONTEXT_SETTINGS = dict(auto_envvar_prefix='IRAIL')

class Context:
    def __init__(self):
        self.terminal_width, self.terminal_height = click.get_terminal_size()

commands_folder = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'commands')
pass_context = click.make_pass_decorator(Context, ensure=True)

class ComplexCLI(click.MultiCommand):
    @staticmethod
    def list_commands(ctx):
        rv = []
        for filename in os.listdir(commands_folder):
            if filename.endswith('.py') and \
               filename.startswith('cmd_'):
                rv.append(filename[4:-3])
        rv.sort()
        return rv

    @staticmethod
    def get_command(ctx, name):
        try:
            if sys.version_info[0] == 2:
                name = name.encode('ascii', 'replace')
            mod = __import__('irail.commands.cmd_' + name,
                             None, None, ['cli'])
        except ImportError:
            return
        return mod.cli

@click.command(cls=ComplexCLI, context_settings=CONTEXT_SETTINGS)
@pass_context
def cli(context):
    """
    IRail command line interface
    """
    pass


text:
Message to Congress from crash victim advocate Tammy Huffman
https://saferoads.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tammy-Huffman-e1629234104745.jpg 790 527 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety https://saferoads.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tammy-Huffman-e1629234104745.jpg July 24, 2021 August 17, 2021
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) sent the email below to Capitol Hill on July 24, 2021:
Tammy Huffman (Michigan), Truck Safety Coalition Volunteer: "On May 6, 2013, my husband's twin brother, Tim Huffman, was killed by a distracted semitruck driver. Tim was a decorated war veteran with 3 tours in Iraq and had served as a military police officer. The semitruck driver was on Facebook at the time of the wreck. The crash into Tim's police cruiser and subsequent collisions created a wreckage of vehicles that stretched about a mile long – all of which could have been prevented if the truck was equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB). I am here today to speak for Tim, for my family and for all roadway users. We must have safety provisions like universal AEB in place to avoid these preventable tragedies."
WATCH TAMMY TELL HER STORY
What Tammy Asks You To Do:
Congress must take action now in the infrastructure/transportation bill to prevent crashes, deaths & injuries.
Require AEB on all new cars and trucks. AEB can prevent or mitigate crashes caused by speeding, distracted, drunk, drugged, and drowsy driving.
The AEB requirement must:
Include Class 3-6 trucks which are currently omitted in both the Senate bill (S. 2016) and the House bill (H.R. 3684).
Ensure the systems detect and respond to vulnerable road users.
Include a deadline for the final rule and compliance.
Dangerous truck safety rollbacks must be stricken, including provisions to allow "teen truckers" in interstate commerce and exemptions from hours of service (HOS) rules intended to prevent truck driver fatigue.
For many first responders like Tim, the roadways are their offices. In his honor and memory and tens of thousands of families like Tammy's whose loved ones are killed each year, safety advances must be made in this bill.
Tammy Huffman
Truck Safety Coalition
Statement on Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 6-10, 2021) and Newly Released Studies Showing Older Drivers Face Greater Risks Due to Older Vehicles
https://saferoads.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety https://saferoads.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg December 8, 2021 December 9, 2021
Statement on National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Cathy Chase Remarks at Press Conference Hosted by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
https://saferoads.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety https://saferoads.org/wp-content/themes/osmosis/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg November 22, 2021 November 22, 2021

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


My School Ticino is a bilingual school for children aged 0–10 years and was founded on the initiative of the Medacta for Life Foundation. The school aims to encourage the development of new generations in a context that promotes their well-being and interaction. The school takes into consideration the needs of the children, their families and the surrounding area.
Please turn your mobile to see the images.


text:
package org.apereo.cas.aup;

import org.apereo.cas.authentication.CoreAuthenticationTestUtils;
import org.apereo.cas.category.MongoDbCategory;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasAcceptableUsagePolicyMongoDbConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasAuthenticationEventExecutionPlanTestConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreAuthenticationPrincipalConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreAuthenticationServiceSelectionStrategyConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreHttpConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreServicesConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreTicketCatalogConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreTicketIdGeneratorsConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreTicketsConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreUtilConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasCoreWebConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasDefaultServiceTicketIdGeneratorsConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasPersonDirectoryTestConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.CasRegisteredServicesTestConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.config.support.CasWebApplicationServiceFactoryConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.logout.config.CasCoreLogoutConfiguration;
import org.apereo.cas.mock.MockTicketGrantingTicket;
import org.apereo.cas.ticket.registry.TicketRegistry;
import org.apereo.cas.util.CollectionUtils;
import org.apereo.cas.util.junit.ConditionalIgnore;
import org.apereo.cas.util.junit.ConditionalIgnoreRule;
import org.apereo.cas.util.junit.RunningContinuousIntegrationCondition;
import org.apereo.cas.web.support.WebUtils;

import lombok.val;
import org.junit.ClassRule;
import org.junit.Rule;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.experimental.categories.Category;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Qualifier;
import org.springframework.boot.test.context.SpringBootTest;
import org.springframework.cloud.autoconfigure.RefreshAutoConfiguration;
import org.springframework.mock.web.MockHttpServletRequest;
import org.springframework.mock.web.MockHttpServletResponse;
import org.springframework.mock.web.MockServletContext;
import org.springframework.test.context.TestPropertySource;
import org.springframework.test.context.junit4.rules.SpringClassRule;
import org.springframework.test.context.junit4.rules.SpringMethodRule;
import org.springframework.webflow.context.servlet.ServletExternalContext;
import org.springframework.webflow.test.MockRequestContext;

import static org.junit.Assert.*;

/**
 * This is {@link MongoDbAcceptableUsagePolicyRepositoryTests}.
 *
 * @author Misagh Moayyed
 * @since 5.3.0
 */
@Category(MongoDbCategory.class)
@SpringBootTest(classes = {
    CasAcceptableUsagePolicyMongoDbConfiguration.class,
    RefreshAutoConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreTicketsConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreLogoutConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreServicesConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreTicketIdGeneratorsConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreTicketCatalogConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreAuthenticationServiceSelectionStrategyConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreHttpConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreWebConfiguration.class,
    CasPersonDirectoryTestConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreUtilConfiguration.class,
    CasRegisteredServicesTestConfiguration.class,
    CasWebApplicationServiceFactoryConfiguration.class,
    CasAuthenticationEventExecutionPlanTestConfiguration.class,
    CasDefaultServiceTicketIdGeneratorsConfiguration.class,
    CasCoreAuthenticationPrincipalConfiguration.class
})
@ConditionalIgnore(condition = RunningContinuousIntegrationCondition.class)
@TestPropertySource(properties = {
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.host=localhost",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.port=27017",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.dropCollection=true",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.collection=acceptable-usage-policy",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.userId=root",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.password=secret",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.databaseName=acceptableUsagePolicy",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.mongo.authenticationDatabaseName=admin",
    "cas.acceptableUsagePolicy.aupAttributeName=accepted"
    }
)
public class MongoDbAcceptableUsagePolicyRepositoryTests {
    @ClassRule
    public static final SpringClassRule SPRING_CLASS_RULE = new SpringClassRule();

    @Rule
    public final SpringMethodRule springMethodRule = new SpringMethodRule();

    @Rule
    public final ConditionalIgnoreRule conditionalIgnoreRule = new ConditionalIgnoreRule();

    @Autowired
    @Qualifier("acceptableUsagePolicyRepository")
    private AcceptableUsagePolicyRepository acceptableUsagePolicyRepository;

    @Autowired
    @Qualifier("ticketRegistry")
    private TicketRegistry ticketRegistry;

    @Test
    public void verifyAction() {
        val context = new MockRequestContext();
        val request = new MockHttpServletRequest();
        context.setExternalContext(new ServletExternalContext(new MockServletContext(), request, new MockHttpServletResponse()));

        val c = CoreAuthenticationTestUtils.getCredentialsWithSameUsernameAndPassword("casaup");
        val tgt = new MockTicketGrantingTicket("casaup", c, CollectionUtils.wrap("accepted", "false"));
        ticketRegistry.addTicket(tgt);
        WebUtils.putTicketGrantingTicketInScopes(context, tgt);

        assertFalse(acceptableUsagePolicyRepository.verify(context, c).getLeft());
        assertTrue(acceptableUsagePolicyRepository.submit(context, c));
    }
}


Awareness is not a belief | Awareness Now!
Shakespeare already wondered: what's in a name? Words are just pointers to something. We can even create words for things that don't actually exist in physical reality. How about awareness then?
Each one of us is certain of one thing which is; "I exist!" That is the very definition of self-awareness of a "self" which is apparently inside of us. What happens when you or I perceive something "outside" of us, like a rose? There many ways to react.
Via knowlegde: I know what a rose is, I've seen plenty.
Via analysis: I looked it up, the rose is a flowering plant of the "genus Rosa".
Via judgement: I don't like this particular color red.
We pose that none of the above is what it means to be aware of this flower in front of you. Perhaps the example of music would make it even more clear. Imagine you are listening to a beautiful song of an unknown composer. None of the reactions based on knowlegde, analysis, belief or evaluation would make you hear or experience the music more intensely. In fact your reactions would probably interfere with your awareness of the music. You may perhaps remember moments when music moved you deeply and brought tears to your eyes. No beliefs, knowledge or evaluation were necessary. You were simply aware and let the music happen…Now can you do that with people too? With all of existence?
@YOU: what is your experience? Is awareness based on beliefs?
Previous articleHow do you know you are attached to a belief?
Next articleIs the 'self' just an idea?
Eckhart Tolle said: awareness is the greatest agent for change.
My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he's tryiong none the less. I've been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!
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web site conations in fact good funny data too.
What could you recommend in regards to your publish that you made a few days in the past?
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text:
Bussi sul Tirino est une commune de la province de Pescara dans la région Abruzzes en Italie.

Administration

Hameaux
Bussi Officine, Cirichiello

Communes limitrophes
Capestrano (AQ), Castiglione a Casauria, Collepietro (AQ), Corvara, Navelli (AQ), Pescosansonesco, Popoli, Tocco da Casauria

Voir aussi
Château des Médicis
Église Santa Maria di Cartignano

Notes et références

Bussi sul Tirino


text:
Q: XMPPFramework - "" when logging into Openfire server I installed Openfire server in my mac and did all the configuration. When i trying to connect it thro XMPP Protocol in the sense am getting bellow error log.
RECV: <failure xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-sasl"><not-authorized/></failure>

and also i note that in login response am getting username as null check bellow log
decoded response: username="(null)",realm="172.16.0.162",nonce="EFYJmP/oVfVKnhvuenmxVEBwH7VzYMET5j1cUqJ/",cnonce="DE5E4A14-3B6E-4239-B6AB-0B8BC1D75539",nc=00000001,qop=auth,digest-uri="xmpp/nivas",response=a64dcc45fef55811788d8784546baf29,charset=utf-8

Can any one tell me am i doing anything wrong here and any suggestion.??
Thanks

A: For users using iOS's XMPPFramework, and receiving this message:
<failure xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:xmpp-sasl"><not-authorized/></failure>
Append your server domain name to the back of each user IDs, like so:
keithoys@openfire


text:
package de.dfki.iui.mmir.plugins.speech.android;

import java.util.List;

import org.apache.cordova.CallbackContext;
import org.apache.cordova.CordovaInterface;
import org.apache.cordova.CordovaPlugin;
import org.apache.cordova.CordovaPreferences;
import org.apache.cordova.CordovaWebView;
import org.apache.cordova.LOG;
import org.apache.cordova.PluginResult;
import org.json.JSONArray;
import org.json.JSONException;
import org.json.JSONObject;

import android.app.Activity;
import android.app.AlertDialog;
import android.app.Dialog;
import android.content.DialogInterface;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.content.pm.ResolveInfo;
import android.net.Uri;
import android.os.Build;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.speech.RecognizerIntent;
import android.speech.tts.TextToSpeech;
import android.widget.Toast;

public class AndroidSpeechCapabilityChecker extends CordovaPlugin {

  private static final String NAME = "AndroidSpeech.CapabilityCheck";

  private static final int SDK_VERSION = Build.VERSION.SDK_INT;

  private static final int RESULT_CODE_CHECK_TTS_AVAILABILITY = 234235;
  private static final int RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_LANGUAGES = 234236;
  private static final int RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_ASR_APP = 234237;
  private static final int RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_TTS_APP = 234238;

  /** for Intent for opening applications page in Google Play: Voice Search package */
  private static final String GOOGLE_VOICE_SEARCH_ID = "com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox";//[DISABLED may not be available for all languages/countries!] "com.google.android.voicesearch"
  /** for Intent for opening applications page in Google Play: TTS / Speech Output */
  private static final String GOOGLE_TTS_ID = "com.google.android.tts";//"com.svox.classic"//"com.ivona.tts"

  private static final String FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME = "asrAvailable";
  private static final String FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME = "ttsAvailable";
  private static final String FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_LANGUAGE_NAME = "ttsLanguageAvailable";
  private static final String FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_NAME = "asrPermission";
  private static final String FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_PERMISSION_NAME = "ttsPermission";
  private static final String FIELD_DESCRIPTION_NAME = "description";

  private static final String ACTION_CHECK_ASR = "asr_check";
  private static final String ACTION_CHECK_TTS = "tts_check";
  private static final String ACTION_CHECK_TTS_LANGUAGE = "language_tts_check";
  private static final String ACTION_PERMISSIONS_ASR = "asr_permissions_check";
  private static final String ACTION_PERMISSIONS_TTS = "tts_permissions_check";
  private static final String ACTION_ASK_PERMISSIONS_ASR = "asr_ask_permissions";
  private static final String ACTION_ASK_PERMISSIONS_TTS = "tts_ask_permissions";

  @Override
  public boolean execute(String action, JSONArray args, CallbackContext callbackContext) {

    boolean isValidAction = true;
    PluginResult result = null;

    try {

      if (ACTION_CHECK_ASR.equals(action)) {

        //TODO support arguments for setting custom dialog labels!

        isValidAction = true;
        verifySpeechRecognitionAvailable(callbackContext);

      } else if (ACTION_CHECK_TTS.equals(action)) {

        //TODO support arguments for setting custom dialog labels!

        isValidAction = true;
        verifySpeechSyntesisAvailable(callbackContext, false);

      } else if (ACTION_CHECK_TTS_LANGUAGE.equals(action)) {

        //TODO support arguments for setting custom dialog labels!
        //TODO support argument for checking specific languages

        isValidAction = true;
        checkSpeechSynthesizerLanguages(callbackContext);

      } else if (ACTION_PERMISSIONS_ASR.equals(action)) {

        isValidAction = true;
        boolean res = !Utils.isSpeechRecognitionPermissionMissing(cordova.getActivity());
        result =  new PluginResult(PluginResult.Status.OK, Utils.createMessage(FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_NAME, res));

      } else if (ACTION_PERMISSIONS_TTS.equals(action)) {

        isValidAction = true;
        boolean res = !Utils.isSpeechSynthesisPermissionMissing(cordova.getActivity());
        result =  new PluginResult(PluginResult.Status.OK, Utils.createMessage(FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_PERMISSION_NAME, res));

      } else if (ACTION_ASK_PERMISSIONS_ASR.equals(action)) {

        isValidAction = true;

        AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck plugin = new AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck(callbackContext);
        plugin.privateInitialize("AndroidSpeechPermissionCheckASR_temp", cordova, webView, preferences);
        plugin.requestSpeechRecognitionPermissions();

      } else if (ACTION_ASK_PERMISSIONS_TTS.equals(action)) {

        isValidAction = true;

        AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck plugin = new AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck(callbackContext);
        plugin.privateInitialize("AndroidSpeechPermissionCheckTTS_temp", cordova, webView, preferences);
        plugin.requestSpeechSynthesisPermissions();
      }

    } catch (Exception e) {

      String msg = String.format("Error during '%s': %s", action, e);
      LOG.e(NAME, msg, e);
      result =  new PluginResult(PluginResult.Status.JSON_EXCEPTION, msg);

    }

    if(result != null)
      callbackContext.sendPluginResult(result);

    return isValidAction;
  }

  public void verifySpeechRecognitionAvailable(CallbackContext callbackContext){
    //verify that Speech Recognizer is available:
    // if not, ask permission to install it
    checkSpeechRecognizer(cordova, webView, preferences, callbackContext);
  }

  public void verifySpeechSyntesisAvailable(CallbackContext callbackContext, boolean checkLanguageAvailability){

    boolean isTts = isSpeechSynthesisActivityPresent(cordova.getActivity());
    LOG.i(NAME, "Speech TTS available:  "+isTts);

    if(!isTts){

      installGoogleSynthesis(cordova, webView, preferences, callbackContext);

    } else {

      if(checkLanguageAvailability){

        checkSpeechSynthesizerLanguages(callbackContext);

      } else {

        sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, true, "Speech Synthesis service is available.");
      }
    }
  }

  //////////////////////////////////
  // based on http://stackoverflow.com/a/10912048/4278324

  void checkSpeechSynthesizerLanguages(CallbackContext callbackContext) {
    Intent checkIntent = new Intent();
    checkIntent.setAction(TextToSpeech.Engine.ACTION_CHECK_TTS_DATA);

    AndroidSpeechCheck plugin = new AndroidSpeechCheck(callbackContext);
    plugin.privateInitialize("AndroidSpeechCheckTTSLanguage_temp", cordova, webView, preferences);
    cordova.startActivityForResult(plugin, checkIntent, RESULT_CODE_CHECK_TTS_AVAILABILITY);
  }

  /**
   * Checks availability of speech synthesis Activity
   *
   * @param callerActivity – Activity that called the checking
   * @return true – if Activity there available, false – if Activity is absent
   */
  static boolean isSpeechSynthesisActivityPresent(Activity callerActivity) {
    try {
      // getting an instance of package manager
      PackageManager pm = callerActivity.getPackageManager();
      // a list of activities, which can process speech recognition Intent
      List<ResolveInfo> activities = pm.queryIntentActivities(new Intent(TextToSpeech.Engine.ACTION_CHECK_TTS_DATA), 0);

      if (activities.size() != 0) {    // if list not empty
        return true;                // then we can recognize the speech
      }
    } catch (Exception e) {

    }

    return false; // we have no activities to recognize the speech
  }

  /**
   * Asking the permission for installing Google Voice Synthesis.
   * If permission granted – sent user to Google Play
   */
  private static void installGoogleSynthesis(final CordovaInterface cordova, final CordovaWebView appView, final CordovaPreferences preferences, final CallbackContext callbackContext) {

    // creating a dialog asking user if he want
    // to install the Voice Search
    Dialog dialog = new AlertDialog.Builder(cordova.getActivity())
            //TODO externalize String messages
            .setMessage("For reading it's necessary to install \"Google TTS\"")    // dialog message
            .setTitle("Install TTS from Google Play?")                             // dialog header

            // CONFIRM button
            .setPositiveButton("Install", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
              @Override
              public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
                Exception ex = startStoreActivity(GOOGLE_TTS_ID, cordova, appView, preferences, callbackContext);
                if(ex != null){
                  final String msg = "Failed to start activity for installing Speech Synthesis App "+GOOGLE_TTS_ID+": "+ex;
                  LOG.e(NAME, msg, ex);
                  sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, false, msg);
                }
              }})
            // CANCEL button
            .setNegativeButton("Cancel",new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
              @Override
              public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
                final String msg = "User declined to install Speech Synthesis App "+GOOGLE_TTS_ID;
                LOG.i(NAME, msg);
                sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, false, msg);
              }})
            .create();

    dialog.show();    // showing dialog
  }

  /**
   * Asking the permission for installing additional/missing language for Speech Synthesis.
   * If permission granted – sent user to Google Play
   */
  private static void installGoogleSynthesisLanguages(final CordovaInterface cordova, final CordovaWebView webView, final CordovaPreferences preferences, final CallbackContext callbackContext) {

    Intent installIntent = new Intent();
    installIntent.setAction(TextToSpeech.Engine.ACTION_INSTALL_TTS_DATA);

    AndroidSpeechCheck plugin = new AndroidSpeechCheck(callbackContext);
    plugin.privateInitialize("AndroidSpeechCheckTTSLanguageInstall_temp", cordova, webView, preferences);
    cordova.startActivityForResult(plugin, installIntent, RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_LANGUAGES);
  }

  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
  //
  // check / install voice recognition
  //
  // based on https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/developing-android-applications-with-voice-recognition-features

  /**
   * Running the recognition process. Checks availability of recognition Activity,
   * If Activity is absent, send user to Google Play to install Google Voice Search.
   * If Activity is available, send Intent for running.
   *
   */
  static private void checkSpeechRecognizer(CordovaInterface cordova, CordovaWebView appView, CordovaPreferences preferences, CallbackContext callbackContext) {

    // check if there is recognition Activity
    if (isSpeechRecognitionActivityPresented(cordova.getActivity()) != true) {
      //TODO externalize String messages
      // if no, then showing notification to install Voice Search
      Toast.makeText(cordova.getActivity(), "In order to activate speech recognition you must install \"Google Voice Search\"", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
      // start installing process
      installGoogleVoiceSearch(cordova, appView, preferences, callbackContext);
    } else {
      sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME, true, "Speech Recognizer is available.");
    }
  }

  /**
   * Checks availability of speech recognizing Activity
   *
   * @param callerActivity – Activity that called the checking
   * @return true – if Activity there available, false – if Activity is absent
   */
  private static boolean isSpeechRecognitionActivityPresented(Activity callerActivity) {

    //      boolean b = SpeechRecognizer.isRecognitionAvailable(cordova.getActivity());

    try {
      // getting an instance of package manager
      PackageManager pm = callerActivity.getPackageManager();
      // a list of activities, which can process speech recognition Intent
      List<ResolveInfo> activities = pm.queryIntentActivities(new Intent(RecognizerIntent.ACTION_RECOGNIZE_SPEECH), 0);

      if (activities.size() != 0) {    // if list not empty
        return true;                   // then we can recognize the speech
      }
    } catch (Exception e) {

    }

    return false; // we have no activities to recognize the speech
  }

  private static void sendResult(CallbackContext callbackContext, String field, boolean isEnabled, String debugMsg, Object ...fields){
    if(callbackContext != null){
      JSONObject result = Utils.createMessage(field, isEnabled, FIELD_DESCRIPTION_NAME, debugMsg);
      if(fields != null && fields.length >= 0){
        Utils.addToMessage(result, fields);
      }
      callbackContext.success(result);
    } else {
      LOG.e(NAME, String.format("%s: (availability) result is %s", debugMsg, isEnabled));
    }
  }

  @SuppressWarnings("deprecation")
  private static Exception startStoreActivity(final String appPackageId, final CordovaInterface cordova, final CordovaWebView webView, final CordovaPreferences preferences, final CallbackContext callbackContext){

    try {
      // creating an Intent for opening applications page in Google Play for installing app
      Intent installIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("market://details?id="+appPackageId));

      // setting flags to avoid going in application history (Activity call stack)
      final int flags;
      if(SDK_VERSION >= 21){
        flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_HISTORY | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_DOCUMENT;
      } else {
        flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_HISTORY | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_WHEN_TASK_RESET;
      }
      installIntent.setFlags(flags);

      AndroidSpeechCheck plugin = new AndroidSpeechCheck(callbackContext);
      plugin.privateInitialize("AndroidSpeechInstallApp_temp", cordova, webView, preferences);
      cordova.startActivityForResult(plugin, installIntent, RESULT_CODE_CHECK_TTS_AVAILABILITY);

      return null;
    } catch(Exception e){
      return e;
    }
  }

  /**
   * Asking the permission for installing Google Voice Search.
   * If permission granted – sent user to Google Play
   */
  private static void installGoogleVoiceSearch(final CordovaInterface cordova, final CordovaWebView appView, final CordovaPreferences preferences, final CallbackContext callbackContext) {

    // creating a dialog asking user if he want
    // to install the Voice Search
    Dialog dialog = new AlertDialog.Builder(cordova.getActivity())
            //TODO externalize String messages
            .setMessage("For recognition it's necessary to install \"Google Voice Search\"")    // dialog message
            .setTitle("Install Voice Search from Google Play?")                                 // dialog header
            .setPositiveButton("Install", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
              // CONFIRM button
              @Override
              public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {

                Exception ex = startStoreActivity(GOOGLE_VOICE_SEARCH_ID, cordova, appView, preferences, callbackContext);
                if(ex != null){
                  final String msg = "Failed to start activity for installing Speech Recognition App "+GOOGLE_VOICE_SEARCH_ID+": "+ex;
                  LOG.e(NAME, msg, ex);
                  sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME, false, msg);
                }
              }})
            // CANCEL button
            .setNegativeButton("Cancel",new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
              @Override
              public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
                final String msg = "User declined to install Speech Recognition App "+GOOGLE_VOICE_SEARCH_ID;
                LOG.i(NAME, msg);
                sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME, false, msg);
              }})
            .create();

    dialog.show();
  }

  private static class AndroidSpeechCheck extends CordovaPlugin {

    public CallbackContext callbackContext;
    public AndroidSpeechCheck(CallbackContext callbackContext){
      this.callbackContext = callbackContext;
    }

    @Override
    public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {

      if (requestCode == RESULT_CODE_CHECK_TTS_AVAILABILITY) {

        if (resultCode == TextToSpeech.Engine.CHECK_VOICE_DATA_PASS) {
          Bundle extras = data.getExtras();
          Object e1 = extras.get(TextToSpeech.Engine.EXTRA_AVAILABLE_VOICES);
          Object e2 = extras.get(TextToSpeech.Engine.EXTRA_UNAVAILABLE_VOICES);

          LOG.d(NAME, String.format("Extras AVAILABLE: '%s' | UNAVAILABLE: '%s'", e1,e2));

          //FIXME should check, if specific/required language(s) are available

          boolean ttsServiceAvailable = isSpeechSynthesisActivityPresent(cordova.getActivity());
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_LANGUAGE_NAME, true, "Language(s) for Speech Synthesis are available.", FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, ttsServiceAvailable);

        } else if (resultCode == TextToSpeech.Engine.CHECK_VOICE_DATA_FAIL) {

          // missing data, install it

          installGoogleSynthesisLanguages(cordova, webView, preferences, callbackContext);
        }

      } else if (requestCode == RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_LANGUAGES) {

        //FIXME need to check if installation was actually done or canceled
        //              boolean isInstalled = resultCode == ???;
        boolean isInstalled = true;

        boolean ttsServiceAvailable = isSpeechSynthesisActivityPresent(cordova.getActivity());

        if (isInstalled) {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_LANGUAGE_NAME, true, "Installed language(s) for Speech Synthesis.", FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, ttsServiceAvailable);
        } else {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_LANGUAGE_NAME, false, "Canceled installation for Speech Synthesis language(s).", FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, ttsServiceAvailable);
        }

      } else if (requestCode == RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_TTS_APP) {

        //FIXME need to check if installation was actually done or canceled
        //              boolean isInstalled = resultCode == ???;
        boolean isInstalled = true;

        if (isInstalled) {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, true, "Installed Speech Synthesis App.");
        } else {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_NAME, false, "Canceled installation for Speech Synthesis App.");
        }

      } else if (requestCode == RESULT_CODE_INSTALL_ASR_APP) {

        //FIXME need to check if installation was actually done or canceled
        //              boolean isInstalled = resultCode == ???;
        boolean isInstalled = true;

        if (isInstalled) {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME, true, "Installed Speech Recognition App.");
        } else {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_NAME, false, "Canceled installation for Speech Recognition App.");
        }

      } else {

        LOG.w(NAME,  String.format("Unknown activity result code %d (req. code %d), result data: %s", resultCode, requestCode, data));
      }

      super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
    }

  }

  private static class AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck extends CordovaPlugin {

    public CallbackContext callbackContext;
    public AndroidSpeechPermissionCheck(CallbackContext callbackContext){
      this.callbackContext = callbackContext;
    }

    public void requestSpeechRecognitionPermissions(){
      cordova.requestPermissions(this, Utils.REQUEST_SPEECH_RECOGNITION, Utils.PERMISSIONS_SPEECH_RECOGNITION);
    }

    public void requestSpeechSynthesisPermissions(){
      cordova.requestPermissions(this, Utils.REQUEST_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS, Utils.PERMISSIONS_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS);
    }

    @Override
    public void onRequestPermissionResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) throws JSONException {

      if (requestCode == Utils.REQUEST_SPEECH_RECOGNITION) {

        boolean isAllowed = isPermissionsGranted(permissions, grantResults);

        if (isAllowed) {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_NAME, true, "Granted permission(s) for Speech Recognition.");
        } else {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_RECOGNITION_PERMISSION_NAME, false, "Did not grant permission(s) for Speech Recognition.");
        }

      } else if (requestCode == Utils.REQUEST_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS) {

        boolean isAllowed = isPermissionsGranted(permissions, grantResults);

        if (isAllowed) {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_PERMISSION_NAME, true, "Granted permission(s) for Speech Synthesis.");
        } else {
          sendResult(callbackContext, FIELD_SPEECH_SYNTHESIS_PERMISSION_NAME, false, "Did not grant permission(s) for Speech Synthesis.");
        }

      } else {

        LOG.w(NAME,  String.format("Unknown permission request code %d, result data: permissions %s, results %s", requestCode, permissions, grantResults));
      }

      super.onRequestPermissionResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    }

    private boolean isPermissionsGranted(String[] permissions, int[] grantResults){
      int len = grantResults.length;
      if(len > 0 && permissions.length <= len){
        for(int i=0; i < len; ++i){
          if(grantResults[i] != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED){
            return false;
          }
        }
        return true;
      }
      return false;
    }

  }

}


text:
Featured Interview || Laidback Luke
Grant Gilmore
Photo Credit: Ruud Baan
Laidback Luke Talks Kung Fu, Techno, Vlogging, & More!
Beginning his career as a house and techno DJ and expanding into a master of the electro movement, Laidback Luke has been a leader in the electronic dance music scene throughout his career. The 90's saw Luke produce both originals and remixes, laying the groundwork for the Dutch House scene that was ever-growing at the time. Known for his Super You&Me takeovers at events and clubs that have featured fantastic sets and plenty of surprise guests over the years, he is one of the most sought after artists to catch. Additionally, he is the founder of his own label, Mixmash, and while running A&R for that he also produces a highly successful Vlog Series that you just can't stop watching. Read on for our chat with the mix master himself and listen to his track "Paradise" below!
Stream Laidback Luke & Made In June – Paradise (ft. Bright Lights) on SoundCloud:
First off, we have to know, between Kung Fu and DJing Competitions, which has been the hardest to do?
Can you believe I've never ever competed in DJing Competitions? I did one later on in my career which was pretty much EDM DJ's battling Hip Hop DJ's. Let's just say I hate losing and I'll always over prepare for something I'm not certain of. So I'll practice non stop! So that's the same for me in Kung Fu. Although I must say I'm more nervous to perform my Kung Fu in front of a couple of judges, than to DJ for 30,000 people.
Do you feel that you approach mixing in a different way because of your history behind the decks?
Yes, but it also has to do with creativity. Without it, and with this long career I have, I would've gotten so bored of DJing by now. I challenge myself each and every time I take place behind the decks. I'm quite hard on myself but even more proud if outwin myself again. Also, I'm one of the last DJs standing that was inspired by the golden days of Dance Music DJing in the States. Me and TJR pretty much. We are nothing compared to the DJs we looked up to back in the day! DJs like Bad Boy Bill and Donald Glaude. Coming up TJ and I were just average dudes trying to be like them. Back then the DJing technique was insane!
You recently played a show at Bang Bang in San Diego that was strictly techno, does this mean we are going to see more Technoback Luke in future?
[Laughs] I LOVE the name! I'm always up for a pun. I love doing those strictly techno sets. Compared to EDM, believe it or not, the techno sets are really easy for me to do. They feel like riding a bike. Something I learned from a young age and that's still there for me to utilize. It's a nice variation to my EDM sets. When I play techno, I really get super underground and abstract. I don't take any requests either. It's my little trip. That's a polar opposite to when I play mainstream sets.
We absolutely loved your tune with Made in June and Bright Lights, "Paradise"! What led you to working with these artists to develop such a summer-centric tune?
Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that! Made in June, who's a big name in the Netherlands, sent me the demo of the track with a complete other vocal. We took out the old vocal and it took us quite a while to find the right one on there. I've been friends with Bright Lights for a long time and I've worked with her ages ago recording demos at the Universal Music studios in LA. She came up with the best vocal for the track. I took the demo and put my signature sound in there and the track was born! The timing of the track is exactly right now, everyone is longing for the summer!
How excited are you to have your own stage at Tomorrowland Weekend 1? Are there any surprises in store for fans?
I'm so happy I'm able to host my own Super You&Me stage again! I've been doing it for quite a while at Tomorrowland and it will be so good to be back. The biggest surprise we have that I can reveal is the superhero outfits of all the DJs we have invited! You never know in what costume they'll show up.
Can you describe why you love Miami Music Week and the vibe that you get from the city?
I've been a fan of the Miami Music Week for ages now. I think the first one I attended was in 2001 and I have a long history there. From coming there to party as an unknown DJ to handing out my mixtapes and promos, to landing a couple of shows there (in hotel lobbies and villas for instance), to hosting my own parties and playing at Ultra mainstage. It all happened there for me! So I'm still very loyal to it and I love the vibe the week brings.
As a veteran of Miami Music Week and Ultra, how do you feel the experience has changed over the years?
Well, the DJs became more professional. And so now they are so professional, they just stay away! They grab bookings in Asia instead, for instance, and just fly in for that one Ultra booking. It's a shame. This week is THE week to catch up with everyone, hang out, and check out what the vibe will be for coming year.
Your Vlog series has been highly successful with fans from all over the world watching you. What has it been like opening your life up to the whole world?
It has been a new love! I have a graphical background, I drew all my life and I studied to be a graphic designer. So the compositions, the coloring and the awareness of how things need to look is in me. Combine that with a music DAW type of editing that I do in Final Cut Pro X and everything is there for me! Mind you, I didn't start VLOGGING because management thought it would be a smart career move, I actually started because of my youngest son! At age 11 he came to me and said: 'Dad, check out my VLOG! It's on my YouTube Channel.' And I couldn't understand he had made himself a channel and was editing his videos about his life that he shot with his iPhone, all by himself! And I thought: 'Wait a minute, if you can do it, I can do it as well!' So we became VLOG buddies and I got hooked.
Check out Laidback Luke's Vlog HERE!
If you could give one piece of advice to artists looking to make their mark on the electronic music scene, what would it be?
It doesn't need to happen now. Take your time to develop your skills properly. Think big and dream big and realize it will be there for you in due time. It will be a super hard road, but work hard, work smart and never ever give up on your dream!
Finally, what has been the proudest moment in your career?
Seeing how much my music and life has touched and inspired people. It's an absolute honor!
Connect with Laidback Luke on Social Media:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube
Grant Gilmore's authoritative voice as a media professional lends credibility not common to EDM journalism. As the founder of EDM Identity he has effectively raised the bar on coverage of the past decade's biggest youth culture phenomenon. After ten years of working for nonprofit organization Pro Player Foundation, Gilmore launched EDM Identity as a media outlet offering accurate informative coverage of the rave scene and electronic music as a whole. Although they cover comprehensive topic matter, they have taken special care in interviewing the likes of Armin van Buuren, Adventure Club, Gorgon City, Lane 8 and Afrojack. In addition to household names, they have also highlighted unsung heroes of the industry through their ID Spotlight segment. Whether he's covering it or not, you can expect to find Grant Gilmore attending the next big electronic music event. To find out what's next on his itinerary, follow him via the social links below.
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text:
The Best VPNs for IPTV
What is IPTV?
How does IPTV function?
Is IPTV legal?
Is there much ado about nothing?
Why IPTV is more attractive than torrents?
How to use Kodi IPTV?
Is there free IPTV service?
How to choose the best IPTV provider?
How do IPTV providers manage to function illegally?
May a user be accused of watching pirated content?
IPTV providers are on the way to infringe on torrent websites.
Now and again, flashy headlines about illegal torrenting appear in the media. We all know that torrenting is not a legal activity. In some countries a severe punishment is presupposed for a law-defying person who has downloaded torrents.
But not long ago the information on mass arrests of IPTV owners became under discussion.
Before you know everything about it, you should know that a VPN service for IPTV is required. Here is the top list for 2020:
⚡ NordVPN (Bestvpnrating's choice!) – in-built Kill Switch and 6 multi-logins.
Surfshark – 256-bit encryption and strict no-logs policy.
ExpressVPN – 5 strongest protocols and 94 countries with servers.
CyberGhost – IP and DNS leaks protection.
Private Internet Access – fast speed servers and Kill Switch.
Internet Protocol Television or IPTV in short is an up-to-date technology offering to deliver video signal through the Internet. In contrast to traditional digital video broadcasting like on-air, satellite and cable television, IPTV is absolutely interactive service, which functions via the Internet.
IPTV consumers have additional functions of pausing, video on demand and other facilities.
Data delivery is accomplished over IP-network operator. The main advantages of IPTV are the interactivity of video services and a broad range of additional functions.
The resources of IP protocols give an opportunity to provide IPTV clients with the services like Video Telephony, Web, MOD KOD, Voting and others.
Notwithstanding the fact that IPTV functions by means of the Internet connection, its activity does NOT break the law.
The broadcasting is accomplished on the grounds of the license to show definite TV shows, movies and other content.
But the laws are changing too often, so it is better to hide your identity by means of a VPN for IPTV.
In general, IPTV providers conduct business in a legal way, but the most resourceful ones decide to make money providing its clients with illegal services.
In such a way, some IPTV channels broadcast pirated content. As a result, the users get access to illegal content on the Internet.
In spite of the fuss made about illegality of some IPTV channels, they become more preferable by users.
While downloading torrent files on a device, free time and space are required. Otherwise, it would be impossible to watch it.
IPTV offers the facility to watch any content you like without such difficulties.
Media center Kodi is a powerful tool for broadcasting digital content. One of the most alluring functions of this media center is the facility to watch IPTV.
Thanks to this function users may get access to digital television running on Kodi.
It is the fact that it is possible to watch IPTV free. IPTV technology allows watching your favourite IPTV channels from almost every corner of the world.
Additional equipment is not required. Only high-quality internet connection is necessary.
Nowadays, there is a serious struggle among IPTV providers. Undoubtedly, competition is the first step in progress. Therefore, IPTV providers do their best to succeed in this sphere and become popular among clients.
There are some characteristics, which are to be taken into account while choosing the best IPTV provider:
device compatibility;
channel selection;
stream quality;
international selection;
free trial;
additional services.
Neither cables nor satellite dishes are required to connect to IPTV. But special set-top boxes are necessary. They look like usual line adapters and function in a similar way.
These IPTV set-top boxes are already engineered to broadcast pirated content.
But in this case IPTV providers decide what pirated content to broadcast, but not its users.
It may sound absolutely discouraging, but he may.
It depends on the laws of the country he lives in.
The number of IPTV consumers is growing on permanent basis. In such a way, considerable uptick is expected by the year of 2020. According to the research conducted by the Statistics Portal, China, the USA, France, Japan and Russia are the countries where IPTV services will become wide-spread.
The need to use a VPN becomes vital, as sometimes users even don't know they are going to watch pirated movies.
Here there are the best VPN services to use to be protected while watching IPTV:
Do I need a VPN for IPTV?
VPN services are used not only with the purpose to surf the Internet securely, but to be protected as well.
First of all, VPNs serve to hide your IP from the ISP and other third parties. In such a way, even if you watch pirated video by means of IPTV technologies, you will not be caught.
Secondly, not all IPTV channels are accessible around the globe. It is connected with the restrictions of some countries. For example, you got used to one concrete IPTV service. While travelling, it will not be a problem for you to access it, as you have an opportunity to access the channel as if you are at home.
Select ratingGive The Best VPNs for IPTV 1/5Give The Best VPNs for IPTV 2/5Give The Best VPNs for IPTV 3/5Give The Best VPNs for IPTV 4/5Give The Best VPNs for IPTV 5/5


text:
Border Holiday Homes
"High standards of cleanliness and housekeeping." - VisitEngland Assessor
Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Specialists in self-catering holiday accommodation for two people or an individual guest in the beautiful and historic Northumberland and Scottish Borders. Pets are welcome at five of our properties and three of our properties may be suitable for the less mobile. All are suitable for a romantic and stress free holiday.
'Turner Cottage' is a pet friendly cottage for two people is located in the conservation village of Norham, much loved and painted by the artist, Turner. Close to the river Tweed and the historic Norham Castle, 'Turner Cottage' is sure to please returning guests and new visitors alike as it has a wood burning stove, sun room and enclosed garden.
4 Star Self-Catering
Facilities – at a glance
En Suite
34 Castle Street,Norham,BERWICK-UPON-TWEED,Northumberland,TD15 2LQ
Cots provided
Offsite riding
Offsite cycle hire
Offsite fishing
BBQ on site
Sky or freeview
Fireplace or wood burning stove
Low season minimum price: £460
High season minimum price: £590
Changeover day: Any day changover and usually a three night minimum
Broadstone Cottage
Norham , Northumberland
Chainbridge Touring Caravan Site
Horncliffe , Northumberland
Orchard Cottage and Border View Cottage
Cornhill-on-Tweed , Northumberland
West Longridge Manor
Berwick-upon-Tweed , Northumberland
The Garden House at West Longridge Manor
West Longridge , Northumberland
The Wheatsheaf at Swinton
This welcoming place has an impressive reputation for both their beer and their food. In the bar you'll find Belhaven IPA, draught Peroni and Scottish Borders Brewery bottled beers. Plus there's a whisky map and tasting notes to study before...
Allanton Inn
It's the brightly coloured soft furnishings, local artwork, fresh flowers and open log fire that catch the eye in this 18th-century coaching inn. Seeking attention too are the carefully chosen, mostly Scottish, real ales and the weekly nominated gin...
The Collingwood Arms
Set by the border, close to the River Tweed, the Grade II listed Collingwood Arms has been welcoming travellers for more than two centuries. Its main restaurant looks out onto the central gardens, and is a good mix of old and new with handsome wood...
Close to the bridge over the Tweed at the lower end of the walled town, Magna has earned a reputation for top-notch Indian cooking since it opened in 1982. Occupying a grand Victorian building, bright red chairs and colourful murals add a cheery...
A mighty border fortress built in 1160, was one of the strongest of the border castles. Take an audio tour conjuring up four centuries of sieges and war with the Scots.
Paxton House, Gallery & Country Park
Built between 1758 and 1763 by architect John Adam and his brother James for Patrick Home, Paxton House is a fine example of neo-Palladian architecture. The house has one of the most important Chippendale furniture collections in Britain, as well as...
Etal Castle
When they weren't fighting the Scots, the lords of Etal Castle spent their time feuding with the Heron family, masters of neighbouring Ford. By the 15th century, the de Manners had married into the de Ros dynasty and were able to move out of Etal...
The Hirsel
The seat of the Home family, the grounds of which are open all year. The focal point is the Homestead Museum, craft centre and workshops. From there, nature trails lead around the lake, along the Leet Valley and into woodland noted for its...


I was diagnosed with breast cancer four days after my 32nd birthday. After the initial shock of the diagnosis, I was flooded with many emotions. My mind was clouded with "what if?" thoughts, "why me?" and I wondered how others would feel about me once they knew I had cancer. I toyed with the idea of telling others, trying to decide how and when I would share this information. I played scenarios in my mind of how the other person would react and how my life would be after they knew. The most difficult part for me was starting the conversation, but it became easier as I told more people. To my surprise, opening up to my friends and family actually made our bond much stronger. The scenarios that I played in my mind were the complete opposite of what really happened; I was still seen as the person that I had always been to them - absolutely nothing had changed.
Opening up to my boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband, was a little more difficult because of the intimacy factors. When I was initially diagnosed, I immediately opted for a bilateral mastectomy and delayed reconstruction. This being the case, I was very nervous in intimate situations. I avoided hugs and cuddling, not because of pain, but because I feared he would feel my flat chest. He noticed my hesitation even before I had a chance to say anything. He stopped me instantly and assured me that he loved me and that love extended past missing appendages. He reiterated that his love for me wasn't based on the physical.
So the conversations that I thought would be difficult were made easy by my loved ones. They gave me the assurances I needed, they treated me the same as they always had, and went the extra mile when needed.
I learned a few things on my breast cancer journey. I learned that people are stronger than I gave them credit for. I gained a deeper understanding of unconditional love. I learned that breast cancer would not overshadow the relationships that I had formed over the years - it actually made them stronger. I learned that intimacy and love did not have to end with the diagnosis. Breast cancer changed my relationships, but not in the way that you would think. Breast cancer gave me a greater appreciation of life, love and the people in my life.


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text:
Q: Wrong HttpWebRequest Accept-Range value in C# I want to know if a URL source supports ranged requests.
To get it I am using this method:
bool DoesSupportsRange(string url)
{
   HttpWebRequest req = WebRequest.Create(url) as HttpWebRequest;
   HttpWebResponse resp = req.GetResponse() as HttpWebResponse;
   return resp.Headers.AllKeys
                    .Select((v, i) => new
                    {
                        HeaderName = v,
                        HeaderValue = resp.Headers[i]
                    })
                    .Any(k => k.HeaderName == "Accept-Ranges" && k.HeaderValue == "bytes");
}

It returns True for this sample.rar file. But in fact, WebRequest.AddRange(0,1) request returns 76180 bytes instead 2 bytes. So the value must be False for it.
I want to ask what is the exact method to get the correct information for this header?


text:
National Lie-Like-a-Democrat Day
Get your eyepatch and cutlass ready.
Thu Sep 30, 2021
Don Feder
September 19th was International Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day, a whimsical holiday which we were encouraged to celebrate by using expressions like "Ahoy Matey" and "Avast, ye landlubber!"
But is it really now? I mean, is it happening? Instead of buccaneers like Long John Silver and Captain Kidd, we have pirates like Peg Leg Pelosi and Short on Memory Joe Biden, who want to make us walk the plank into a sea of devalued currency.
For some serious fun, how about a National Lie-Like-a-Democrat Day – which we can celebrate by repeating the biggest whoppers that Democrats regularly tell with a straight face? Backed by their pet poodles in the mainstream media, Democrats tell lies that would put Pinocchio, the Baron von Munchausen and William Jefferson Clinton to shame.
Our withdrawal from Afghanistan was "extraordinarily successful," in the words of our Pretend President. And Custer had an extraordinarily successful deployment at Little Bighorn. We left thousands of Americans and allies behind. During our abject evacuation, 13 American personnel died, more than in all of the 2020 fighting in Afghanistan. We surrendered the strategic Bagram Air Base for no apparent reason and made the Taliban a parting gift of 75,000 U.S. military vehicles. POTUS ignored the advice of his top generals to leave a residual force behind. Our withdrawal was a smashing success -- from the point of view of the Taliban, ISIS, Iran, China and every other terrorist movement and thug regime in the world.
White Privilege is the greatest threat to our unity. Thus, it is said that the income gap between whites and blacks is due solely to racism. And factors like the failure of family formation and miserable inner-city schools (foisted on the community by Democrats) are irrelevant. Apparently, the affluence of Japanese-Americans – who were put in detention camps during World War II and barred from owning real estate until 1952 – is due to yellow privilege. In terms of median household income, Indian-Americans, Chinese- Americans, Japanese-Americans, Vietnamese-Americans, Korean-Americans, and Filipino-Americans are all ahead of whites.
What happened on January 6 was a Trump-inspired insurrection. Throughout the summer of 2020, we saw business districts in flames – looting, arson, murder and assaults on police officers, coordinated by Marxists and anarchists. But that was youthful hijinks compared to serious stuff, like someone putting their feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk or scaring AOC so badly that she hid in her office. The assistant director of The FBI's counter-terrorism unit says no guns were recovered after what might more properly be called a disturbance. There were five deaths attributed to the incident – four were medically related. The other was an unarmed demonstrator shot dead by Capitol Police. But the insurrection myth (that the U.S. government was in danger of being overthrown by goofballs taking selfies) is vital to the Democrats' 2022 prospects. Apparently, when Trump told his supporters to "peacefully protest," he really meant launch a coup d'etat. At least you could roast marshmallows in the Reichstag fire.
There is no crisis on our southern border. Haven't they told you repeatedly that the border is closed – sealed tight as a drum? Which are you going to believe: Their demonstrably false narrative or your lying eyes? The 14,000 Haitians camped near Del Rio, TX. until a few days ago were an optical illusion. The 200,000 illegal aliens reported crossing the border each month are an urban legend. There is no crisis at our southern border. Ask DHS Secretary Mayorkas. Ask Border Czar Harris. Ask the drug cartels and human traffickers. Everybody knows that the best way to keep people from knocking at your door is to put out a welcome mat.
Voter ID is Jim Crow 2.0. People of color use photo IDs millions of times each day to drive a car, board a plane and purchase cigarettes and alcohol. Democrats want us to show proof of vaccination to enter certain businesses. But they insist limiting voting to those who can establish their identity is a fiendish device designed to keep minorities from voting. Today, this lie is being heavily promoted to advance H.R. 1, the Democrats' attempt to federalize elections, thus institutionalizing widespread fraud. In reality, voter ID is an impediment to the graveyard vote – an important Democrat constituency.
Transgenderism is real. Yes, there are men who think they're women and women who think they're men. But the sex you were born with is the sex you'll die with. You can change your physical appearance with hormone therapy and surgery, but not your genetic makeup. Putting on a horse costume doesn't make you Seabiscuit.
Climate Change is the greatest threat to our national security – Terrorism, the human tide washing over our southern border, spiraling crime, anarchy in the streets, Red China's military buildup – all are nothing by comparison. The earth's climate has changed countless times over billions of years. That's why Iceland is green and Greenland is ice. (It must have been all of the CO2 released into the atmosphere by Vikings driving SUVs a thousand years ago.) Fear is the greatest motivator known to man – a surefire way to generate appropriations and accumulate power, which is why welfare state politicians love it so.
The pirates didn't have to lie to steal. They just took what they could carry away on their ships.
Schumer, Pelosi and the rest of their gang are pirates sans ships. Instead of the Jolly Roger, they hoist the DNC colors before budget debates. If there was political truth in advertising, they'd be forced to wear black eyepatches and carry cutlasses – the scurvy bilge rats.


David is a former public company CFO that has been in the world of small business since 2010. The best business consulting professionals have run successful companies and lived with the results of their decisions. It is this unique combination that makes David highly qualified to lead engagements in helping clients reach their growth objectives.
In his professional experience David was the financial leader for a NYSE listed IPO, worked on two start-ups, closed several large funding transactions, managed workouts, established credit lines and created and implemented several sales and marketing plans.
For more details on David's experience, background and endorsements visit his LinkedIn page.
David can be reached for business inquiries at info@copperbv.com.


text:
Creator's Pick! Arechan
A girl who belongs in a different time. A boy possessed by an emptiness as deep as space. A story about an alien artifact, a mysterious murder, and a love that crosses light years.
Dani and Dorian have missed the bus of the school of magic. Now, they must find someone who teach them how to be a great and good witches... Or maybe not.
Witness what the gods do…after dark. The friendships and the lies, the gossip and the wild parties, and of course, forbidden love. Because it turns out, the gods aren't so different from us after all, especially when it comes to their problems. Stylish and immersive, this is one of mythology's greatest stories -- The Taking of Persephone -- as it's never been told before.
Gourmet Hound
Lucy, a woman with an uncanny sense of taste and smell, discovers that her favorite restaurant has changed kitchen staff--and she does not know the identity of the chef whose cooking she's loved for years. When a lucky accident leads her to two former chefs at Dimanche, she decides that she will do her utmost to track down each of their old colleagues in order to rediscover that "perfect taste".
She's a hopeless romantic who's turning 30 – and is not super happy about it. He's a reclusive billionaire who's hired her to be his assistant – and he's not too happy about that either. Together they rewrite the rules of friendship, love, work and the BEST way to clean someone's apartment.
Similar genres Romance
I Love Yoo
Dogged by pain and misfortune from the very beginning, Shin-Ae decides she wants nothing to do with people nor anything to do with romance. Although content with her unsocial, boring, loveless existence, her lifestyle is challenged after she ruins an unsuspecting strangers' clothes.


text:
Air Astana Launches Meet & Greet Airport Service
Air Astana has announced it will be introducing a Meet & Greet service from 9 April for the airline's passengers on arrival and departure at Almaty and Nur-Sultan airports, as well as a transit service at Frankfurt airport.
Air Astana, the flag carrier of Kazakhstan which was the first airline from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern Europe to be awarded a four-star rating by SkyTrax at the World Airline Awards 2012, says the new service is going to smooth the passenger journey through the airport, with effortless completion of mandatory procedures currently required for international travel.
The departure and arrival escorts will meet passengers at designated entrance and exit points within the terminal in Almaty and Nur-Sultan and provide help with baggage handling, check-in and boarding and in Frankfurt, travellers will be met by escorts at the aircraft door or at the entrance to the terminal and provide expedited transfers for connecting flights for both passengers and luggage.
Air Astana A320.
According to the carrier, the cost of the Meet & Greet service is 40 euros (tenge 20,000) per passenger at all three airports and can be booked at the Air Astana website.
Resuming operations
Air Astana began operations in May 2002 as a joint venture between Kazakhstan's national wealth fund Samruk Kazyna and BAE Systems. The carrier is a full-service international and domestic airline and also has a low-cost division, FlyArystan. Air Astana has been resuming operations recently, with direct flights between Almaty and Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia launched on 16 March in addition to flights to Moscow, Dubai, Tashkent, Frankfurt, Seoul, Bishkek, Kiev, Istanbul, Antalya, Sharm El Sheikh, the Maldives, Mattala in Sri Lanka and Hurghada in Egypt.
Have you used an airport Meet & Greet service? If so, let us know about your experience in the comments below!
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Quarantine-Free Travel Between Australia and New Zealand From April
Bamboo Airways Plans to Expand In Europe
Brussels Airlines To Transport 25k Festival-Goers to Tomorrowland
Belgian EDM festival Tomorrowland is back after a two-year hiatus and Brussels Airlines is planning on taking on…
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Home →IT News & Trends →Book Review: Microchip: An Idea, Its Genesis, and the Revolution It Created
Book Review: Microchip: An Idea, Its Genesis, and the Revolution It Created
By Paul B. Brown | Posted 12-01-2002	Print
Book review: Adam Smith's invisible hand works just as well in technology advancement as it does in economics—something all managers should keep in mind.
Microchip: An Idea, Its Genesis, and the Revolution It Created
By Jeffrey Zygmont
Perseus Publishing December 2002
272 pages, $25
It is safe to say that as he wandered around a sweltering Texas Instruments complex in Dallas in the summer of 1958, Jack Kilby wasn't thinking about a future in which his grandchildren would stroll through the mall watching their favorite movie on their own portable DVD players slung around their necks. He was looking for a way to do more interesting work—and move up the corporate ladder.
And there is little doubt that when Robert Noyce got fed up with the bizarre genius of William Shockley, and left Shockley Semiconductor to help found Fairchild Semiconductor in 1957, he wasn't imagining that the invention he was working on would be found everywhere from rocket ships to those annoying musical greeting cards. He was just trying to improve his lot in life.
But without Kilby and Noyce, who are jointly credited with the creation of the integrated circuit—most people refer to it as the microchip—what we refer to as the "Information Age" would never have happened.
As business writer Zygmont, author of The VC Way, points out, "The current age is often called the Computer Revolution, but that's just because computers are the most obvious representation of the change. The boxes with keyboards and screens that sit on every desk didn't exist until the new capability called microchips made them possible."
And what made microchips possible was not a government-directed program or a fuzzy corporate mandate to be "more innovative." It was people maneuvering to do what they like to do best—and hoping to be rewarded for it.
Zygmont shines the spotlight on both little-known innovators and the better-known names who created the computer chip and figured out what to do with it. The first part of the book is devoted to relatively unknown heroes such as Kilby, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics two years ago for building the first electronic circuit in which all of the components were fabricated in a single piece of semiconductor material. The author then moves on to the people who put the chip to work—innovators such as Gordon Moore of Intel and An Wang, who founded Wang Computer.
While the technology discussion will move too fast for non-techies, Zygmont does an excellent job of putting the early days of the semiconductor industry into perspective.
If that was all he did, the book would be worthwhile as history. But implicit in the tale is perhaps the best way to go about conducting technology research. Again and again in the microchip's history, a huge market need is identified—be it more reliable rockets in the 1960s, faster personal computers in the 1980s or more dependable and efficient cars today. Researchers at various semiconductor companies are then charged with solving the problem. They are given no prescribed course of action; instead, competitive pressure—be it between Texas Instruments and Fairchild in the early 1960s or between Intel and AMD today—is enough to make sure innovation occurs. And giving recognition and rewards makes sure that people work their hardest to achieve corporate goals.
Adam Smith's invisible hand works just as well in technology advancement as it does in economics—something all managers should keep in mind.
Reviewed by Paul B. Brown, the author of 13 business books including the international bestseller Customers for Life. Doubleday just published an updated version of the book, written with Carl Sewell.


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Buckley Link Road - new junction at Bistre Avenue with Argoed Road and Mold Road"
Mold Road, Buckley
The Albert Hall was opened as a new entertainment venue in mid 2008 and called The Academy. On June 20th 2009, Tommy Allen, one of the UK's top blues guitarists performed with his band.
The Academy was reported to be gaining a reputation as the top blues venue in the area by this time.
In November 2009, London-based The Cadillac Kings came to The Academy: billed as firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scene the band features six of the UK's top blues and roots players inspired by the sounds and styles of the 40s and 50s.
Author: Anon
Month = December
Day = 5